Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Gayatri Mantra




The Gayatri Mantra



Just like the Sun annihilates darkness, so does the Gayatri Mantra destroy ignorance. The Gayatri Mantra invokes the power and radiance of the Sun to energize all earthly life, to destroy our sins and to reveal the Supreme Self to us. Krishna in the Bhagvad Geeta says: " Amongst the Mantras, I am the Gayatri"
In a loose translation that cannot possibly do justice to the original it implores: OM, O Lord! You are the all pervading Source of Light, Sustainer, Protector and Bestower of Happiness, Kindle, Enlighten and inspire our Intelligence to possess Eternal Qualities.
Follows the verse in Sanskrit:




Om Bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo Devasya dheemahi
Dheeyo yonah prachodayaat



The Gayatri Mantra is the essence of the three Vedas. It is the Vedas simplified. The more one contemplates and meditates upon the Gayatri, the more complexities are revealed to one.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Durga Chalisa




Durga Chalisa

An ode to the Mother Goddess, Durga, this chalisa, if chanted with faith, brings all sorts of blessing from Durga Maa to the devotee. Maa Durga is associated with the energies of life which is required for a good life. In the form of Lakshmi, she is abundance in all forms. She symbolizes the requirement of having a life of abundance. Abundant wealth, happiness and health. In the form of Saraswati, she symbolizes the arts and music. She symbolizes the synthesis of learning. In the form of Parvati, she symbolizes the role of a woman. As a mother, she fought with her husband for her son Ganesha. As a wife, she fought with her father for her husbands respect. I have always seen pictures of Parvati with Shiva and Ganesh, but never her picture alone, unlike Lakshmi and Saraswati. She symbolises the force that keeps a family together. In the form of Kali, she symbolizes the power of destruction. She symbolizes the destruction that is wrought when evil needs to be vanquished. And in Durga, she symbolizes all this and more. There are many forms of Durga, and I have but named a few. In essence, she is the feminine force of nature. Some feel that she is the prana of the universe, sustaining the worlds and the beings that live in it. I have read that she is God's own energy, and that the Lord is a part of her as much as she is a part of the Lord. In my own humble way, I have tried to explain this prayer to her in English, and if I have made any mistakes, please forgive me, as I know the Mother Goddess, forgives me, her child.




Namo namo Durge sukh karani, Namo namo Ambe dukh harani.
Chant the name of Durga, the giver of happiness, Chant the name of Ambe, the destroyer of sadness.


Nirankar hai jyoti tumhari Tihun lok pheli ujayari.
Your light is infinite, And it spreads in all the three realms (Heaven, Earth and the netherworld)


Shashi lalat mukh maha vishala, Netra lal brikuti vikrala.
You have the beauty of the moon and your mouth s wonderful, Your eyes have a red glow and a stern frown Roop matu ko adhika suhave, Daras karat jan ati sukh pave. This image of your is very beautiful, Which gives the devotee ultimate happiness to see.


Tum sansar shakti laya kina, Palan hetu anna dhan dina.
All the powers of the world are in you, And you look after the world by giving grain (food) and money (wealth).


Annapurna hui jag pala, Tumhi adi sundari bala.
As Annapurna, the feeding mother, you nurture the universe, And you are also the timeless young girl of extreme beauty.


Pralaya kal sab nashan hari, Tum Gauri Shiv Shankar pyari.
You are the destroyer of everything at the end of time, As Gauri, you are the beloved wife of Lord Shiva.


Shiv yogi tumhare gun gave, Brahma Vishnu tumhe nit dhyaven.
The God Shiv and all the yogis chant your praise, Brahma and Vishnu meditate on you.


Roop Saraswati ko tum dhara, De subudhi rishi munin ubara
You take the form of Goddess Saraswati, To grant wisdom to the rishis (sages) thus look after them


Dharyo roop Narsimha ko Amba, Pragat bhayin phar kar kamba.
Goddess Amba, you took the form of Narsimha, And you broke the pillar.


Raksha kari Prahalad bachayo, Hiranakush ko swarg pathayo.
You protected Prahalad and saved him, And Hiranakush (the demon) was granted access to heaven




Lakshmii roop dharo jag mahi, Shree Narayan ang samahi
You appear in this world in the form of Goddess Lakshmi, And you are by the side of Lord Narayan.


Ksheree Sindhu karat vilasa, Daya Sindhu deejay man aasa
Residing on the Sea of Milk With Lord Vishnu, O Goddess, please fulfill my wishes.


Hingalaj mein tumhi Bhavani, Mahima amit na jaat bakhani
You are Goddess Bhavani in Hingalaj, Your glory is brilliant, beyond description.


Matangi Dhoomavati Mata, Bhuvneshwari Bagala Sukhdata
You are the Goddess Matangi and Dhoomavati, You are the giver of happiness in the form of Bhuvneshwari and Bagala


Shree Bairav Tara jog tarani, Chin-na Bhala bhav dukh nivarani.
You end the sorrows of this world, By appearing in the forms of Bhairavi, Tara & Chinamasta Devi


Kehari Vahan soh Bhavani, Langur veer chalat agavani
Oh Goddess Bhavani, ever graceful on your steed, the lion, The brave monkey always welcomes you.


Kar men khappar khadag viraje, Jako dekh kal dar bhaje.
When you appear in anger with your sword and cupel drawn, Looking at you, even Time flees in fear


Sohe astra aur trishoola, Jase uthata shatru hiya shoola
Seeing you with your trident and your magics, Withen your enemy arises the pangs of fear


Nagarkot mein tumhi virajat, Tihun lok mein danka bajat
You are there in Nagarkot, Thus your presence is there in all the three realms.


Shumbhu Nishumbhu Danuja tum mare, Rakta-beeja shankhan samhare.
You slayed the demons Shumbhu & Nishumbhu,And killed the thousand forms of the demon Rakta-beeja




Mahishasur nripa ati abhimani, Jehi agha bhar mahi akulani
When Mother Earth was burdened with the sins of Mahishasur.......

Roop kaaral Kalika dhara, Sen sahita tum tin samhara

You assumed the dreaded form of Goddess Kali And killed him and his army.

Pari garha santan par jab jab, Bhayi sahaya Matu tum tab tab

Whenever the saints were troubled, You, O Mother, always came to their rescue


Amarpuri aru basava loka, Tava mahima sab rahen asoka
Amarpuri (divine realm) and all the other worlds, Under your grace remain forever happy


Jwala mein hai jyoti tumhari, Tumhen sada pujan nar nari
In Jwala it is your light that burns, Men and women always pray to you.


Prem bhakti se jo yash gaye, Dukh-daridra nikat nahin ave
Whoever sings your praise with love and devotion, Sadness and poverty cannot come near them


Dhyave tumhen jo nar man laee, Janam-maran tako chuti jaee.
Whoever meditates upon you with his heart and concentration, Is able to escape this cycle of birth and death.


Jogi sur-muni kahat pukari, Jog na ho bin shakti tumhari
All the yogis and saints openly say, That without your power, one cannot merge with the Lord


Shankar Aacharaj tap keenhon, Kam, krodh jeet sab leenhon
Acharya Shankar performed a penance, And was able to conquer his desires and anger


Nisidhin dhyan dharo Shanker ko, Kahu kal nahin sumiron tum ko
Perpetually in meditation of Lord Shiva, He did not even pray to you for a moment


Shakti roop ko maram na payo, Shakti gayi tab man pachitayo
He did not understand the power that you are, And only when his powers vanished, did he severely regret not praying to you


Sharnagat hui keerti bakhani, Jai jai jai Jagdamb Bhavani
He too refuge in your fold singing your praises, saying, Always Victorious, victorious, victorious, Universal Goddess Bhavani


Bhayi prasanna Aadi Jagdamba, Dayi shakti nahin keen vilamba
Then you were happy with him, O Supreme Goddess, And you gave him back his powers without any hesitation


Mokun Matu kashta ati ghero, Tum bin kaun hare dukh mero
O Mother, I am surrounded by lots of problems, Apart from you, there is no one else who can destroy my sorrows


Asha trishna nipat sataven, Moh madadik sab binsaven
Hopes and wants keeps on troubling me, Desires and passions also make me sad


Shatru nash keeje Maharani, Sumiron ekachita tumhen Bhavani
Oh, Queen of Queens, please destroy my enemies (referring to desires and passions) I meditate on you with a fixed mind, O Bhavani


Karo kripa hey Matu dayala Riddhi-Siddhi de karahu nihala
Please forgive us, O Forgiving Mother, And shower us with riches and powers which keep us happy


Jab lagi jiyoon daya phal paoon, Tumro yash mein sada sunaoon,
Whilst I live, may I always be in your grace, And may I always praise you to all


Durga chalisa jo gaye, Sab sukh bhog parampad pave
Whoever sings the Durga Chalisa, Will enjoy all happiness and will attain the highest state upon death


Devidas sharan nij jani, Karahu kripa Jagdamb Bhavani
I, your slave, ask you for shelter, Oh Universal Goddess, have mercy on me!

This is the Durga Chalisa. May it bring happiness, joy and enlightenment

Yamunashtakam





Yamunashtakam




Namami Yamunamaham sakal-siddhi-hetum-muda
Murari-pad-pankaj-sfurad-amand-renutkatam I
Tatastha-nav-kanan-prakat-mod-pushpambuna
Sur-asur-supujit smarpitu shriyam bibhratim II1II


Shri krishna na charanarvind ni raj thaki shobhi rahya, siddhi alaukik aapnara vundu shri yamunajine, Supushpa ni suvas thi jungle badhu meheki rahyu ne mand shital pavan thi jal pan sugandhit thai rahyu, Puje surasur sneh thi vali sevata daivi jivo, Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Kalindagirimastake patadamanda poorojvalaa
Vilasagamanollasat Prakataganda shailonnata I
Saghoshagati danturaa samadhiroodha dolottamma
Mukundarativardhini jayati padmabandhosuta II2II


Maa suryamandal chodine bahu veg thi aavi rahya, Tya kalindi na shikhar upar shobha ati sundar dise, Ae veg ma patthar ghana harkhaine uchali rahya ne aap pan ullas purvak uchalata shobhi rahya, Hari het na jula upar jane birajya aap ho, Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Bhuvam bhuvanapaavaneem adhigatamanekasvanai
Priyabhirivasevitaam Shuka-Mayur-Hansadibhee I
Tarangabhujakankana prakatamuktikavaluka
Nitambatatasundareem namata Krishnaturya-priyaam II3II


Shuk mor saras hans aadi pakshi thi sevayela, gopijano ae sevya bhuvan svajan pavan rakhta Tarang rup shri hast ma reti rupi moti tana, kankan saras shobhi rahya shri krishna ne bahu priya je Nitamb rup shri tat tanu adbhut darshan thay jo Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Anant-gun-bhushite Shiv-viranchi-devstute
Ghanaghannibhe sada Dhruv-Parasharabhistade
Vishuddha-Mathura-tate sakal-gop-gopivrite
Kripajaladhi-sanshrite mam manah sukham bhavay II4II


Anant gun thi shobhata stuti dev brahma shiv kare, ghanashyam jevu megh sam che swarup sundar aapnu Vishuddh mathura aapna sannidhya ma shobhi rahyu, sahu gop gopi vrund ne icchit fal aapi rahya Mam kod sau pura karo jyam dhruv parashar na karya Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Yaya charan-padmaja Mur-ripoh priyam-bhavuka
Samagamanato-bhavat sakal-siddhida sevtam I
Taya sadrashtamiyat Kamalja-sapatniv yat
Hari-priya-kalindaya mansi me sada sthiytam II5II


Shri krishna na charano thaki shri jahnavi utpanna thaya, satsang pamya aapno ne siddhidayak thai gaya Evu mahatmya che aapnu sarakhamani koi shu kare, samakaksha ma aavi shake sagarsuta ek j khare Eva prabhu ne priya mara hradaya ma aavi vaso Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Namostu Yamune sada tav charitrmatyadbhutam
Na jatu yama-yatana bhavati te payah-panatah I
Yamopi bhagini-sutan kathamu hanti dushtanapi
Priyo bhavati sevanat tav harer-yatha gopikah II6II


Adbhut charitrya che aapnu vandan karu hu prem thi, yamayatana aave nahi ma aapana payapan thi Kadi dushta hoiye toy pan santan chiye ame aapna, sparshe na amne koi bhaya chaya sada che aapni Gopi janone prabhu priya banya evi krupa bas rakhajo Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Mamastu tav sannidhau tanu-navatvam-etavata
Na durlabhtama ratih Mur-ripau Mukund-priye I
Atostu tav lalana surdhuni param sangamat
Tavaiv bhuvi kirtita na tu kadapi pushti-sthitaih II7II


Shri krishna ne priya aap cho mamadeh sundar rakhajo, bhagavad lila ma thay priti sneh evo rakhjo Jyam aapna sansarg thi gangaji pushti ma vahya, mamadeha man shri krishna ne priya thay eva rakhajo Viraharti ma he mat mara hradaya ma birajajo Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Stutim tav karoti kah Kamalaja-sapatni priye
Harer-yadanu sevaya bhavati saukhya-mamokshatah I
Iyam tav kathadhika sakalgopika-sangam-
smar-shram-jalanubhi sakal-gatrajaih sangamah II8II


Hu aapani stuti shu karu mahatmya aparampar che, shri laxmi vishnu sevavathi mox no adhikar che Pan aani seva thaki adbhut jalkrida tana, jal na anu ni prapti thaye gopijano na sneha thi Ae sneh nu sukh divya che man maru ema sthapajo Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Tavashtakamidam muda pathati soor-sute sada
Samast-durita-kshyo bhavati vai Mukunde ratih I
Taya sakal-siddhayo Mur-ripushcha santushyati
Svabhav-vijayo bhavet vadati Vallabh Shri-Hareh II9II

Koi sneha thi karashe sada aa path yamunashtaka tano, nishche prabhu ne priya thashe ne nash thashe pap no Siddhi sakala malashe ane shri krishna ma vadhashe priti, anand sagar umatashe ne svabhava pan jashe jiti Jagadish ne vahala amara vallabhadhish ucchare Vandan karu shri yamunajine shri krishna aashraya aapjo.

Pratyangira Devi Moola Mantra



Om
Sat Chit Ananda Parabrahma
Purushothama Paramatma
Sri Bhagavathi Sametha
Sri Bhagavathe Namaha


This mantra evokes the living God, asking protection and freedom from all sorrow and suffering. It is a prayer that adores the great creator and liberator, who out of love and compassion manifests, to protect us, in an earthly form. This Moolamantra has given great peace and joy to people all over the world, who have chanted, or even listened to it. It has the power to transport ones mind to the state of causeless love and limitless joy. The calmness that the mantra can give is to be experienced, not spoken about. Dear reader, here is the key with which any door to spiritual treasure could be opened. A tool which can be used to achieve all desires. A medicine which cures all ills. The nectar that can set man free! All auspiciousness and serenity is yours simply by chanting or listening to this magnificent Moolamantra.

Whenever you chant the Moolamantra even without knowing the meaning of it, that itself carries power. But when you know the meaning and chant with that feeling in your heart then the energy would flow million times more powerful. Therefore it is essential to know the meaning of the Mantra when you use it.

The Mantra is like calling a name. Just like when you call a person he comes and makes you feel his presence, the same manner when you chant this mantra, the supreme energy manifests everywhere around you. As the Universe is Omnipresent, the supreme energy can manifest anywhere and any time. It is also very important to know that the invocation with all humility, respect and with great necessity makes the presence stronger.

This Vedic Sanskirt chant was given to humanity through the Grace of Sri Bhagavan and Sri Amma. When you chant this Mantra, even without knowing the meaning of it, that itself carries power. But when you know the meaning and chant it with feeling in your heart then the energy will flow a million times more powerfully. It is therefore important to know the meaning of the Moola Mantra when you use it.

This Mantra is like calling a name. Just like when you call a person he comes and makes you feel his presence, in the same manner when you chant this mantra the Supreme Energy manifests everywhere around you. As the Universe is omnipresent, this Supreme Energy can manifest anywhere and any time. It is also very important to know that invocation of the Moola Mantra with deep humility, respect and with great necessity makes The Divine Presence stronger.

OM
OM has got 100 different meanings. It is said, in the beginning was the Supreme word and the word created every thing. That word is OM. If you are meditating in silence deeply, you can hear the sound OM within. The whole of creation emerged from the sound OM. It is the primordial sound or the Universal sound by which the whole universe vibrates. OM also means inviting the higher energy. This divine sound has the power to create, sustain and destroy, giving life and movement to all that exist.

SAT
SAT means all penetrating existence that is formless, shapeless, omnipresent, attribute less, and quality less aspect of the Universe. It is the Unmanifest. It is experienced as emptiness of the Universe. We could say it is the body of the Universe that is static. Everything that has a form and that can be sensed, evolved out of this Un manifest. It is so subtle that it is beyond all perceptions. It can only be seen when it has become gross and has taken form. We are in the Universe and the Universe is in us. We are the effect and Universe is the cause and the cause manifests itself as the effect.

CHIT
CHIT is the Pure Consciousness of the Universe that is infinite, omni-present manifesting power of the Universe. Out of this is evolved everything that we call Dynamic energy or force. It can manifest in any form or shape. It is the consciousness manifesting as motion, as gravitation, as magnetism, etc. It is also manifesting as the actions of the body, as thought force. It is the Supreme Spirit.

ANANDA
ANANDA means bliss, love and friendship nature of the Universe. When you experience either the Supreme Energy in this Creation (SAT) and become one with the Existence or experience the aspect of Pure Consciousness (CHIT), you enter into a state of Divine Bliss and eternal happiness (ANANDA). This is the primordial characteristic of the Universe, which is the greatest and most profound state of ecstasy that you can ever experience when you relate with your higher Consciousness.

PARABRAHMA
PARABRAHMA is the Supreme Being in his Absolute aspect; one who is beyond space and time. It is the essence of the Universe that is with form and without form. It is the Supreme creator.

PURUSHOTHAMA
PURUSHOTHAMA has got different meanings. Purusha means soul and Uthama means the supreme; the Supreme spirit. It also means the supreme energy of force guiding us from the highest world. Purusha also means Man, and PURUSHOTHAMA is the energy that incarnates as an Avatar to help and guide Mankind and relate closely to the beloved Creation.

PARAMATMA
PARAMATMA means the supreme inner energy that is immanent in every creature and in all beings, living and non-living. It's the indweller or the Antaryamin who resides formless or in any form desired. It's the force that can come to you whenever you want and wherever you want to guide and help you.

SRI BHAGAVATI
SRI BHAGAVATI is the Feminine aspect, which is characterized as the Supreme Intelligence in action, the Power (The Shakti). It is referred to the Mother Earth (Divine Mother) aspect of the creation.

SAMETHA
SAMETHA means together or in communion with.

SRI BHAGAVTE
SRI BHAGAVTE is the Masculine aspect of the Creation, which is unchangeable and permanent.

NAMAHA
NAMAHA is salutations or prostrations to the Universe that is OM and also has the qualities of SAT-CHIT-ANANDA, that is omnipresent, unchangeable and changeable at the same time, the supreme spirit in a human form and formless, the indweller that can guide and help in the feminine and masculine forms with the supreme intelligence. I seek your presence and guidance all the time.

Sri Pratyangira is a powerful Devi who is greatly spoken about in the Adharvana Veda - one of the four Vedas (namely - Rig, Yajur, Sama and Adharvana Vedas). She, who is always seated on a lion, is also known as Narasimhika [in Kalisahasranama Stotram]. Devi Pratyangira appears as a ferocious half human-half lion form with four hands [lower right hand holding the soolam/knife, lower left hand holding the abalam, upper right hand holding the damarugam (drum) and upper left hand holding the snake]. The powers generated from the Maha Pratyangira Moola Mantra Maala Mantra Homam will be transmitted into the Sri Mariamman Utsava Murthi. A significant feature of this Maha Homam, as mentioned in the Adharvana Veda, is that unsalted cooked Vada soaked in honey, lemons, spicy dried chillies, and ghee should be the primary offerings to the maha homam.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Self Confidence

Self confidence is a pre-requisite to succeed in any walk of life. Be it your relationships or the workplace, confidence is needed to run your life in an excellent way. But what exactly is self confidence? Well, it is the conviction that person’s have in their abilities. A self confident person is mentally very strong and exhibits assertiveness in his routine dealings with people. Contrary to popular perception, self confidence is not something which is always innate. In fact, with practice, patience and experience, we can be built it over a period of time.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Motivational Quotes

The drops of sweat, on the forehead of the present, are the pearls of tomorrow.

I'm putting my dreams on airplanes, to rise above the clouds of doubt and reservation. Moving towards the sunshine that encompasses my destiny.

The greatest gifts of all are the lessons you learn while waiting for the answers.

Never take my kindness for weakness because I am one strong woman.

The weak are blind; champions visualize their dreams and goals and stop at nothing to see them as a reality.

Time tests everyone; many of us crumble. But the brave ones stand, fight and get honors.

Don't tell me the problem is tough. If it is not tough, then it is not a problem.

There is always a solution for every problem; you only need to put your efforts in the right direction.

Achievement is directly proportional to enthusiasm.

Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.

Success is hidden under a rock of hard work. Keep digging with patience; it's up to you, only.

It's not who gets there first that matters, rather it is getting there that matters first.








Monday, July 12, 2010

What is "Motivational"?

Motivation is the foundation of goal-orientated behavior. It is generally used for humans but, theoretically, it can also be used to describe the grounds for animal manners also. According to various assumptions, motivation may be rooted in the essential need to minimize physical twinge and maximize pleasure, or it may include specific needs such as food, rest or a desired object, hobby, aim, or it may be attributed to less-apparent reasons such as self-sacrifice, egoism, ethics, or avoiding transience. Theoretically, it should not be confused with either decision or sanguine. Motivation is related to, but distinct from, passion.